Nicolas Jean-de-Dieu Soult - Commentary

Commentary

Soult was a skillful military strategist. An example was his drive to cut off Wellington's British army from Portugal after Talavera, which nearly succeeded. Though repeatedly defeated by Wellington in 1813–1814, he conducted a clever defense against one of history's greatest commanders.

Soult's armies were usually well maintained before going into battle. After Vitoria, he reorganized the demoralized French forces of Joseph Bonaparte into a formidable army in a remarkably short time. An exception to this good logistical record was launching the Battle of the Pyrenees offensive when his soldiers only had four days rations.

Tactically, Soult planned his battles well, but often left too much to his subordinates. Wellington said that Soult "never seems to me to know how to handle troops after the battle had begun". An example is at the Battle of Albuera, where he brilliantly turned Beresford's flank to open the battle. But when he found himself facing unexpected opposition from Spanish and British troops, Soult allowed his generals to adopt a clumsy attack formation, failed to act decisively and was finally beaten. Another example of his strengths and weaknesses can be seen at the Battle of the Nive. Soult recognized Wellington's strategic dilemma and took advantage by launching surprise attacks on both wings of the Anglo-Allied army. But French tactical execution was poor and the British general managed to fend off Soult's blows. Sloppy staff work marred his tenure as Napoleon's chief-of-staff in the Waterloo campaign.

Soult allowed his personal ambitions to distract him from his military duty. Greed and ambition caused him to pass up a golden opportunity to take Cádiz. While occupying northern Portugal, his intrigues earned him the nickname, "King Nicolas." Later, he set himself up as a virtual viceroy of Andalusia, looting 1.5 million francs worth of art. One historian called him "a plunderer in the world class."